Re: [HPforGrownups] CHAPTER DISCUSSION: DH - Chapter Twenty-One – The Tale of the Three Brothers

[Laura Lynn Walsh]

No: HPFGUIDX 183028


On 2008, May 26, , at 01:11, Goddlefrood wrote:

> 1. Do you think Gurdyroot tea is really that bad?

Undoubtedly.  Have you ever tried Lapsang Souchong, or
something like that.  Eww!

> 2. While reading the story of the Tale of the Three Brothers by
> Beedle the Bard did any realisation come to you, as a reader, that
> the gifts given by Death were potentially items with which we had
> familiarity?

I was sure about the cloak already.  Too many hints.  I wasn't
sure about the wands, but it seemed likely.  I was less sure
about the stone.  Why set an ugly stone in a ring?

> 3. When Xenophilius named the gifts of Death from the story as the
> Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility, did
> the title of the book you were reading make perfect sense?

Not really.  But it was explained soon after.

> 4. What reaction did you have to the speculation relative to Harry's
> Cloak being the cloak from the story and did you find yourself
> agreeing with or dismissing Ron's thoughts about Harry's cloak being
> extraordinary?

We never saw Moody's cloaks fail or be less than as powerful
as Harry's.  So, while I thought Harry's might be the Hallows
cloak, I don't think there was a foreshadowing of this in prior
books.

> 5. Did the Elder Wand ring a bell at this point in the book or
> alternatively when Harry thought of his wand as the Elder Wand did
> you wonder if the Elder Wand was actually a wand with which we were
> familiar?

I wish it had.  Maybe that is one reason for Dumbledore's
astounding powers.  He started out extraordinarily talented and
then added the powerful wand.

> 6. Xenophilius uses the word 'capture' when describing how ownership
> of the wand could be transferred - would that then mean that the wand
> does not necessarily have to be defeated in order to transfer its
> allegiance?

I think capture is necessary, given that the wand is so powerful.
Winning the wand in an outright duel is probably not likely.  Since
the ownership of the wand has been transferred, sometimes by
force, one would suspect duplicity, trickery, or stealth.

> 7. Was the Peverell link thrown in by Hermione rather too convenient
> or not? Explain.

Hermione is always thinking two (or more) steps ahead of
everyone and she frequently makes connections that others
would only make after long contemplation.  I don't think it
was unusual.

> 8. Were you relieved to find normal relations amongst the trio
> restored?

Yes, but I expected it eventually, if only because Hermione
knows that they can't accomplish their tasks unless they are
all working as hard as possible for the same goal.  This is
also why she later urges Harry to seek horcruxes not hallows,
knowing they can't do both.

> 9. Are the trio's choices of which Hallow they would like to have
> representative of their personalities?

Of course.  Ron wants the wand to give himself more power,
feeling, as he does, inferior to his older siblings and Harry
and Hermione.  Even Ginny has advantages he doesn't - she
is the longed for girl in the family, is popular, is a good athlete,
is bright.

Hermione wants something that has proven useful - a versatile
tool for her arsenal.

Harry just wants friends and family.

> 10. Did you, as I did, find the order in which Harry named his dear
> departed notable?

I think he names them in reverse order according to how difficult
it is to admit that he needs them.  It is easy to admit he would like
Sirius and Mad-Eye back.  They would be of practical use and
everyone would acknowledge that.  It is also easy to admit that
Dumbledore would be helpful, but he is a bit more reluctant to
summon him back, as he needs to remain sure in his mind that
Dumbledore is really dead and can't help him as he did when he
was alive.  It is the most difficult to admit he would want to have
his parents back.  That is a purely emotional longing; he doesn't
really know them or know how they could be useful, but he wants
them anyway, even though he is nearly a man.

> 11. By this stage, the trio having being at the Lovegood house for
> some time, were you expecting Xenophilius to betray the trio? Did you
> feel some sympathy with Xenophilius and his reasons for being a
> Quisling or not given the status of the WW at the time?

I agree with Jerri.  I feel very sorry for Xenophilius.  He lost his
wife and his daughter has been taken by an evil wizard for whom
killing is a sport.

> 12. Was it just the stunning spell that blasted the room apart or was
> something else also involved?

I thought it was the spell hitting the Erumptent (sp?) horn.

Laura
-- 
Laura Lynn Walsh    lwalsh at acsalaska.net
http://llwcontemplations.blogspot.com



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